Ylöjärvi town centre tops cost estimates for Tampere region commuter stops

Preliminary cost estimates show Ylöjärvi town centre will be the most expensive new commuter stop in the Tampere region, with options ranging from €6.4 million to €12.6 million, YLE reports. The figures come as Traficom has given regions including Tampere until September to decide whether to buy the trainsets needed for planned 2031 commuter services Traficom's deadline, and they sit alongside earlier planning for a Lielahti–Ylöjärvi tram link tram planning in the area.

According to Tamperelainen, the drafts for the Lielahti–Ylöjärvi tram line's street and depot layouts will be presented in public consultation sessions. Draft layouts will be shown in Ylöjärvi city hall's council chamber on 9 September and at the Hiedanranta workshop in Tampere on 10 September, with both events running from 17:30 to 19:30 (coffee from 17:00).

Tamperelainen adds that an online, map-based survey will also be open on the project website from 7–20 September, where residents can review draft plans and submit feedback.

Planned stops include Messukylä and Epilä in Tampere, Harjuniitty in Nokia, Ylöjärvi centre, Lempäälä’s Sääksjärvi and Kangasala’s Ruutana. Ylöjärvi stands out. Its wide price range reflects four layout options and several technical challenges: the stop could sit on the Asemantie side or on the Valo training centre side, the light traffic route might pass over or under the line, and high groundwater would require a special groundwater basin. Mari Ruissalo, Ylöjärvi’s development manager, says the Valo-side option would also need a new electrified siding, which pushes costs up.

Messukylä’s preliminary estimate is about €5.3 million, largely driven by a planned new overpass, Tampere planning manager Ari Vandell says. Epilä is estimated at €3.4 million and is planned to be built alongside a separate second track, whose costs are accounted for separately. Other estimates include €4.1–5.9 million for Nokian Harjuniitty and €2.1 million for Kangasala Ruutana; Lempäälä’s Sääksjärvi is still in pre-design and has no figure yet.

Tamperelainen reports an updated tram planning timeline as well: stakeholder statements are expected in early 2027, the final plan is due in April 2027, detailed design is scheduled for 2029–2031, and construction would take place in 2032–2035.

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has begun planning an extra track between Lielahti and Harjuniitty. The Tampere regional board will discuss launching track plans for Harjuniitty and Epilä next Wednesday. Proposed funding for the track plans is €500,000 from the Transport Infrastructure Agency and €250,000 each from Tampere and Nokia, and the state has pledged up to €4 million for planning and delivery by 2028 under the land use, housing and transport agreement.

Municipalities will later decide together which stop to build first, Tampere region transport system manager Eero Kauppinen said, though the state will also influence the choice because construction costs are intended to be split evenly between the agency and the municipalities.